The One Thing Tool
Clarity when you’re overwhelmed, progress when you’re stuck.
Clarity when you’re overwhelmed, progress when you’re stuck.
When your to-do list feels more like a guilt-trip than a plan - this tool cuts through the chaos.
Inspired by the principle in The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan, this framework helps you zoom in on the single, most impactful thing you can do right now - the one domino that makes everything else easier or irrelevant.
Think of it as your shortcut to clarity. When you’re stuck, scattered, or spinning your wheels, this tool will help you move forward.
▪️ You’re overwhelmed by competing priorities
▪️ You don’t know where to focus your energy
▪️ You want to make meaningful progress (not just tick boxes)
▪️ You feel busy but not productive
How to use:
This tool is built around one powerful question:
“What’s the ONE thing I can do right now such that by doing it, everything else becomes easier or unnecessary?”
It sounds simple...but it forces clarity and courage.
List all the things you could be doing right now. Big or small. Urgent or not.
For each task, ask:
• If I only did this one thing today, would it move me forward?
• Would it make other tasks easier, irrelevant, or unnecessary?
• Is it a lead domino that triggers progress?
Circle the one with the biggest ripple effect.
Block time. Remove distractions. Focus on that one thing like your progress depends on it - because it probably does.
Pro tips:
▪️ Don’t confuse urgent with important. The “one thing” is usually quiet, not screaming.
▪️ If everything feels equally important, zoom out: What’s the real goal here?
▪️ Your “one thing” might not be work - it might be a walk, a nap, or a real conversation. Honour that.
It reduces overwhelm, focuses your energy, and helps you work smarter - not harder. It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what matters most.
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